Literary justification (8)
I believe the answer is:
apologia
'literary justification' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for apologia that I've seen before include "Formal defence of one's conduct" , "sort of defence" , "Formal defence of belief or conduct" , "Written defence or vindication" , "Personal written defence" .)